MINUTES - Budget Committee - 20230116 1
Town of Aurora
Budget Committee
(Operating Budget Review)
Meeting Report
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, January 16, 2023
6 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Mayor Tom Mrakas (Chair)
Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Rachel Gilliland
Councillor Wendy Gaertner*
Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor John Gallo
Councillor Harold Kim
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer*
Allan Downey, Director, Operations*
Robin McDougall, Director, Community Services
Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Techa van Leeuwen, Director, Corporate Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance
Jason Gaertner, Manager, Financial Management
Daniel Bitonti, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications*
Sandeep Dhillon, Senior Financial Management Advisor*
Tracy Evans, Financial Management Advisor*
Mohamedali Kamalia, Financial Management Advisor*
Phillip Rose, Manager, Aurora Town Square
Laura Sheardown, Financial Management Advisor*
Patricia De Sario, Town Solicitor*
Michael de Rond, Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
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1. Call to Order
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Budget Committee consented to recess the meeting at 8:11 p.m. and reconvened
the meeting at 8:21 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
Budget Committee acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe
lands, the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island,
recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day,
the special relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this
territory, and that Aurora has shared responsibility for the stewardship of these
lands and waters. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Budget Committee approved the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services.
4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
5. Delegations
None.
6. Consideration of Items
6.1 2023 Operating Budget - Community Partner Business Plans and
Presentations
6.1.1 Central York Fire Services 2023 Operating Grant
(Binder Tab 14)
Fire Chief Ian Laing provided an introduction and Deputy Chief
Jeremy Inglis presented an overview of the 2023 Fire Services
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Budget submission including: budget process and highlights;
operating budget; wages and benefits; and capital budget. Mike
Mayes, Treasurer, Town of Newmarket, was also present.
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That the Central York Fire Services presentation be received;
and
2. That the request for the 2023 Operating Grant to the Central
York Fire Services in the amount of $12,722,900 be tentatively
approved.
Carried
6.1.2 Aurora Public Library Board 2023 Operating Grant
(Binder Tab 15)
Tom Connor, Board Chair, provided an introduction and Bruce
Gorman, Chief Executive Officer, expressed appreciation to the
outgoing Board Chair for his service and commitment to the
community. Bruce Gorman presented an overview of the Board's
funding request including: the Library's community-led service
model; impacts of COVID-19 and Town Square construction;
programming and resources; key performance indicators; civic
engagement and community partnerships; community feedback;
governance; and budget pressures. Julie Rocca, Business Manager,
was also present.
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That the Aurora Public Library Board presentation be received;
and
2. That the request for the 2023 Operating Grant to the Aurora
Public Library Board in the amount of $4,052,100 be tentatively
approved.
Carried
6.1.3 Aurora Historical Society Board 2023 Operating Grant
(Binder Tab 15)
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Alan Lambert, Interim Co-President, Geoffrey Dawe, Interim Co-
President and Treasurer, and Kathleen Vahey, Curator, presented an
overview of the Board's funding request including: background and
mission statement; 2022 highlights, goals and achievements;
continued impacts of COVID-19; key performance indicators;
ongoing challenges; partnerships; sponsors, supporters, and
donors; community feedback; 2023 goals and moving forward;
2022 funding and 2023 forecast; the Godfrey collection; and Hillary
House restoration. Directors Ronen Grunberg, Dan McGeown, and
Michelle Primeau were also present.
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That the Aurora Historical Society Board presentation be
received; and
2. That the request for the 2023 Operating Grant to the Aurora
Historical Society Board in the amount of $87,100 be tentatively
approved.
Carried
6.1.4 Aurora Sports Hall of Fame 2023 Operating Grant
(Binder Tab 15)
Javed Khan, President and Chair, and Brian Roberts, Treasurer,
presented an overview of the Board's funding request including:
background and 2022 key highlights; Class of 2022 Inductees and
2022 Future Hall of Famers; 10th Annual Induction Celebration
Evening; 2023 nomination process; and 2023 funding requirements
and budget 2023-2026. Lisa Cook, Volunteer, Sharon Kelly, Donor,
and Dave Giroux, 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee, were also present.
Budget Committee recommends:
1. That the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame presentation be received;
and
2. That the request for the 2023 Operating Grant to the Aurora
Sports Hall of Fame in the amount of $30,800 be tentatively
approved.
Carried
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6.1.5 Aurora Cultural Centre Board 2023 Operating Grant
(Binder Tab 15)
Eric Acker, President and Chair, provided an introduction and
highlighted the budget requests for a supplemental increase to the
base funding and rewording of the staff recommendation to align
with the Town's responsibility for funding of any relocation-driven
operating deficits according to the signed agreement between the
Town and the Aurora Cultural Centre. Suzanne Haines, Executive
Director, presented an overview of the Board's funding request
including: mission, vision and core values; programming and key
performance indicators; 2022 financial summary; Aurora Town
Square financial impact; and 2023-2026 objectives and projections.
Laura Hostick, Treasurer, was also present along with other Board
members, staff, and supporters.
Motion to defer
That the Aurora Cultural Centre Board 2023 Operating Grant item
be deferred to the Budget Committee meeting of January 23, 2023.
Carried
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:21 p.m.